Davison Marenga
Zvishavane – The Zvishavane criminal court was stunned last week when a man facing charges of transporting gold ore without a license accused the police of being the owners of the load, claiming that they were framing him.
Stephen Svova (23) told the court that police details from Zvishavane were making false accusations against him after they allegedly found him with sacks containing gold ore.
He told magistrate Storey Rushambwa the police loaded the sacks in his truck and later plotted his arrest after he refused to carry them to the mill.
“The police were aware that I had no license and took advantage of that. They are the ones who loaded the bags into my truck as I was resting. They silenced me saying they are officers and wanted me to follow their orders but when I refused, they arrested me,” he said.
Magistrate Rushambwa, however, dismissed Svova’s arguments and ordered him to pay US$200 fine or serve a four month prison term should he fail to pay the fine in a week’s time.
It is the state case that on 8 August 2016 Svova was stopped by the police after a tip off from the public that he was carrying illegal miners and gold ore near Mabula.
Upon realising that the police had stopped their vehicle, the miners ran away leaving Svova all alone to face the police.
Nineteen bags of gold ore were found in the truck leading to Svova’s arrest after he failed to produce a mining license.
In passing judgment magistrate Storey Rushambwa said the police are there to arrest law breakers and not cook up evidence against innocent people.
Sheila Mupindu stood for the state.news
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He who said it can not be done must not disturb the one doing it!
